Auto Ignition Temperature

Auto Ignition TemperatureThe Auto-Ignition Temperature - or the minimum temperature required to ignite a gas or vapor in air without a spark or flame being present - are indicated for some common fuels below:

Flammable Substance

Temp (Deg C)

Temp (Deg F)

Acetaldehyde

175

347

Acetone

465

869

Acetylene

305

581

Anthracite - glow point

600

1112

Benzene

560

1040

Bituminous coal

454

850

Butane

420

788

Carbon

700

1292

Carbon - bi sulfide

149

300

Carbon monoxide

609

1128

Charcoal

349

660

Coal-tar oil

580

1076

Coke

700

1292

Cyclohexane

245

473

Diethyl ether

160

320

Ethane

515

859

Ethylene

490

914

Ehtyl Alcohol

365

689

Fuel Oil No.1

210

410

Fuel Oil No.2

256

494

Fuel Oil No.4

262

505

Heavy hydrocarbons

750

1382

Hydrogen

500

932

Gas oil

336

637

Gasoline

280

536

Gun Cotton

221

430

Kerosene

295

563

Isobutane

462

864

Isopentane

420

788

Isopropyl Alcohol

399

750

Light gas

600

1112

Light hydrocarbons

650

1202

Lignite - glow point

562

979

Methane (Natural Gas)

580

1076

Methyl Alcohol

385

725

Naphtha

550

1022

Neohexane

425

797

Neopentane

450

842

Nitro-glycerine

254

490

n-Butane

405

761

n-Heptane

215

419

n-Hexane

225

437

n-Octane

220

428

n-Pentane

260

500

n-Pentene

298

569

Oak Wood - dry

482

900

Peat

227

400

Petroleum

400

752

Pine Wood - dry

427

800

Phosphorous, amorphous

260

500

Phospho's, transparent

49

120

Propane

480

842

Propylene

458

856

p-Xylene

530

986

Rifle Powder

288

550

Toluene

530

986

Semi anthracite coal

400

752

Semi bituminous coal

527

980

Styrene

490

914

Sulphur

243

470

Wood

300

572

Xylene

463

867

The flammable (explosive) range is the range of a gas or vapor concentration that will burn or explode if an ignition source is introduced. Limiting concentrations are commonly called the lower explosive or flammable limit (LEL/LFL) and the upper explosive or flammable limit (UEL/UFL).

Below the explosive or flammable limit the mixture is too lean (diluted) to burn. Above the upper explosive or flammable limit the mixture is too rich (saturated) to burn. The Auto-Ignition Temperature is not the same as Flash Point - The Flash Point indicates how easy a chemical may burn.